Year 12 - 2025/2026: Here we go again!

[QueenMabby]

A new thread for the new school and college year. A friendly thread for parents of those going into year 12 in September 2025.

Day 1 and I already miss school uniform! After lots of faffing over what to wear DS was late leaving the house for the first time ever... just hope he hasn't missed the bus.

Thanks! DD starting today, also quite nervous. There's a coffee morning for the parents, so at least it's an excuse to drop her off...good luck everyone.

Good luck to all dc starting today. Very heavy rain here!

@QueenMabby my dd is also doing bio and chem....I also interested in how big the class is and how many girls take it and class size, more for chemistry than bio. She doesn't start till Friday!

HerComesYourMam - I have told DD that she must get her clothes out ready the night before as I am not driving like a maniac to get her to the bus stop/risking her missing the bus. They are older now so SHOULD be more organised. We'll see how this goes! Hope your DS didn't actually miss the bus.

DD was tired this morning but excited to try her first English Language lesson. She said all her friends were blown away by having "free periods" and had no idea what to do with themselves 😀.

MackenCheese - enjoy the coffee morning!

Good Luck to all those with DC starting properly today.

I'm surprised by how big some of DD's classes are judging by the GC lists.

@ForeverWanderingButNotLost thank you, he made it, phew! I will suggest clothes out the night before too.

My dd has started back today - she is going to her school sixth form after being unsure right up until results day whether to go there or a much larger sixth form college, which is supposed to get very good results but is a bit of a trek on the train. So not too much of a change and a lot of her friends are going.

Classes came on her Teams account yesterday - small classes, which is good, though interestingly chemistry and biology are very girl heavy (much to her disappointment 😂) in contrast to @QueenMabby. So is psychology, though that is less of a surprise. Not sure what all the boys are doing - maths and physics maybe (though plenty girls doing these too!)

She is pleased with chemistry teacher, less pleased with biology and psychology is new so an unknown - really hope the teachers are good, seems even more critical
now she only has 3 subjects.

Good luck to everyone else starting this week.

You're all making me so grateful that DS decided to stay at school for sixth form where they just wear the same uniform as before! One less decision in the morning.

I think dd would be happier her classes were boy heavy if said boys were new and cute! 🤣 Instead they’re all ones she knows and is contemptuous of! A couple are a bit disruptive apparently (although it’s all relative in her “naice” private school) so she’ll stay well away from them!

How do you know who’s on the GC lists? It’s almost as if you’re DC talk to you about these things? DD is very non-communicative about such things!

A very ill DD-extreme anxiety and work issues at the same time as a new school year are just too much. It’s horrible to watch and school have never been particularly helpful so I don’t expect them to start now.

They’ve never had a school uniform so at least that isn’t a big deal.

I can’t wait for lessons to start in earnest as now I’m wfh I could do with a bit of space. This has been the longest ever summer!

She was looking how to pronounce the name of a new friend so I just asked her how many were in the lists.

There's a useful saying about not looking for support where there has been none. Sorry it's been rubbish, here's to better times for you.

“I think dd would be happier her classes were boy heavy if said boys were new and cute! 🤣 Instead they’re all ones she knows and is contemptuous of! A couple are a bit disruptive apparently (although it’s all relative in her “naice” private school) so she’ll stay well away from them!”

L6 girls are always more interested in U6 boys…, word of warning.

Sorry to hear that @VegimalCrudite
DD managed to catch school bus, albeit clutching hair- and toothbrushes, despite summoning me at 1am last night to deal with SLUGS in the living room.
DD has seen her classes/form on Google classrooms, and is disappointed that they are so small (well, she expected that for Spanish and Further Maths, but not for Physics). Also not in the same form as her main friends.
I don’t think they have any actual lessons today, just a prize-giving breakfast (Mrs Joyful prize for raffia work etc.?), form meetings and house assemblies.

Ds was pleased that they have games this afternoon so that meant he could go in his tracksuit. I don’t think he’s looking forward to wearing a suit 😂
He got out the door on time (that won’t last!) He was keen to see if there are any new kids joining them (I think there are a few). Hoping he comes home feeling positive.

Just looking at my dd's timetable and it appears she has 3 different teachers for each subject. I wasn't expecting that...is that normal?

It's less common but happens, how many hours of the subject does she have? It may be a job share or just that that's the only way it could work. Teachers will just try and split up the topics as best possible and make it work.

Yes, I’m not even going to bother with the school. I wish she didn’t have to go there but it’s the best for her subjects, and tbh the only. She doesn’t dislike it, particularly. But I do

DS first day today. He was really looking forward to it although a bit disappointed after seeing his timetable as he is not with friends and their free periods don't clash.

Hope the first week goes well for all.

DD has 2 teachers in all A level subjects, I think it is deliberate, in case a student or teacher do not click.
DD is doing a language for A level and may be the only one taking it beyond AS or 1 of 2/3 kids in the class, and will be with the deputy head. She is quite nervous about this but loves the language and I think it is create she will get so much attention. The school won’t drop the language out of principle, nor A level Music, which is great. Most other classes seem to be around 20, especially the sciences.

I remember it as usual to have two teachers for A level (except Latin, because there was only one Latin teacher).

DS started today too, he only had 2 lessons on his timetable though so isn’t there all that long! Sixth form college so no dress rules, and I assume comparatively big classes to those mentioned - he knows someone doing the same subjects as him, but they aren’t in any of the same classes.

Girls don’t like boys girls like cars and money!

Survived the folder and dividers purchasing!

This step up in independent organisation is going to be very interesting! DadRatty had a go at listing the divider headings I watched with a “are you fucking kidding me” look, this is a man who has never, as far as I am aware, filed a piece of paper in his life, and travelled on a passport with first/last name incorrect for 8 years because he didn’t check and only managed to get it rectified because the passport person took pity on him, oh and only renewed his driving licence one day late because I checked the letter.

please son for the love of god do not take admin advice from your dad without running it past mum first (Ratty has his dad’s admin genes it’s a mountain to battle with)

DD came home and complained about her biology seating plan. She has an annoying boy beside her and the fit one is sitting behind her!

Hard relate @VegimalCrudite